FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 16, 2019
PRESS RELEASE: MCRO Presents Proposed Budget Plan for 2019-2020
PHOENIX—The Maricopa County Recorder's Office has presented to the Board of Supervisors its proposed budget plan for State Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
The proposal asks for $6 million to go towards three key areas: staffing, IT security and enhanced customer service. The plan takes into account that since 2008, voter registration has grown by over 520,000.
"Voter registration and election-related processes have expanded significantly since 2008, but staffing levels have not kept up with the increase in the work that it creates," Recorder Adrian Fontes said. "We need more people helping the public with their voting issues, as well as their questions, concerns and requests. Increasing our staff will not only be beneficial for our office, but for Maricopa County residents as well."
Additionally, Fontes alerted the Board of Supervisors of the need to spend significant funds to replace the Maricopa County ballot tabulation and election management system. The equipment is over 20 years old, designed for smaller jurisdictions and has a high risk of failure and liability.
The United States Department of Homeland Security has deemed election systems and processes a "critical infrastructure." The industry standard for maintaining that infrastructure in a secure way requires an investment in updated IT systems and controls, and this budget addresses those issues as well.
"With the 2020 Elections fast approaching, it's important to put forth a plan that will increase efficiency and security in the voting process," Fontes said. "We saw a very high voter turnout in the Midterm Elections, and we can expect an even larger turnout in 2020."
"These changes are necessary to modernize elections and recordation to better serve the taxpayers."
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Contact: Sophia Solis
ssolis@risc.maricopa.gov
480-387-4947
www.Maricopa.Vote
Please do not respond directly to this email. For more information, please email Sophia Solis at ssolis@risc.maricopa.gov, or call 480-387-4947.
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